The two readings addressed the decolonization of global public health. They thinned for the health research institution to conduct their work collectively for equal benefits for the populations around the world. The main points in these readings include changing or improving the culture, political, and economic systems. Another critical issue is the dehumanization of black people regarding healthcare provision. The other point is about bioresearch projects that involve uninformed participants and minimal representation of the individuals participating in the bioresearch programs.
Decolonization of global public health has eliminated various negative perspectives, especially those affecting Africa and people of color in general. It has led to the promotion of indigenous people’s cultural, psychological, and economic freedom, enabling the practice of self-determination of their land, economy, culture, and political system. The international health tropical medicine was meant for the western population, which was a discriminative aspect of the colonial administration. The bias aspect is evident because the black people were not medicated for pain because they were claimed to have thick skin, meaning that they were less sensitive to pain, unlike the white people. Such cases reduced the effort of researchers in disease studies in the African content because there weren’t many resources to discover the various practical methods of eliminating pain from different illnesses for Africans. It also happens that the African country are low income hence the assumption that they are not in a position to conduct scientific research projects to help discover solutions for diseases and pain that emerges from them (Affun-Adegbulu & Adegbulu, 2020). On the other hand, the dehumanization effect of public health colonization is the act of othering populations from low-income countries. Such actions contribute to a high rate of racism. It is unfortunate that when the researchers want to test the credibility of their modern medicine and vaccines, they will take advantage of the uninformed poor people from low-income countries. They use unsusceptible long-term healthcare projects where marginalized populations, either due to illiteracy, poor economic, or health status, are subjected to lab tests and drug prescriptions without their consent. Also, the effect of the drugs could be suspected later after the projects are over, and the providers cannot be traced to solve the problem or to be answerable for the damage they have caused to people’s health. Based on this information decolonization of global public health has resulted in Translational Research Partnerships (TRP) that collectively gather medical experts, establish mutual infrastructure and resources to provide quality outcomes (Lawrence, & Hirsch, 2020). The TRP has enabled the investigation of cases claimed to be against humanity. It has made an effort to establish medical research ethics to enhance the relationship and collaboration between the researchers and the communities involved. TRP also ensures that there are balanced supervisory roles for the research panels. The representatives of the research participants are more to provide guidelines and educate about personal consent during bioresearch events. There is also hope that the representatives are well informed, and if possible, they should be medical and social interests experts to enable successful assistance to the involved communities.
However, TRP is not playing its role effectively because of underlying issues that result in a continuation of public health colonization. There must be debate forums involving diverse global health experts. The forums should ensure that participation involves members from high-income and low-income countries for collective decision-making and the elimination of discriminative research strategies. It is vital that the decolonization of global health takes place and involves organizations with human interest at heart. It should focus on diversity and equality practice knowledge sharing through shared platforms. The information discussed in these forums should also be published or public accessibility to inform many people about the need and the purpose of global public health, its freedom from colonization, and strategic goals that will sustain global equality.
References
Affun-Adegbulu, C., & Adegbulu, O. (2020). Decolonising global (Public) health: From western universalism to global pluriversalities. BMJ Global Health, 5(8), e002947. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002947
Lawrence, D. S., & Hirsch, L. A. (2020). Decolonising global health: Transnational research partnerships under the spotlight. International Health, 12(6), 518-523. doi:10.1093/inthealth/ihaa073
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